“31 years ago today, Ukraine became an independent state. The people of Ukraine are suffering enormous losses in defence of their independence. The goal of Russia in the war against Ukraine is to destroy the Ukrainian statehood and nationhood,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Reinsalu. He added that Estonia supports the Ukrainian state and people with deep friendship and provides Ukraine with comprehensive political support and defence and humanitarian aid.
“Russia has violated all principles and agreements of international law and is responsible for reparations,” he said. “We have a moral obligation to hold war criminals to account. The credibility of a rules-based world order depends on it,” Reinsalu said. Reinsalu added that the cost of aggression must be raised as high as possible for Russia. “We will continue to work with like-minded countries to adopt the eighth sanctions package as soon as possible.”
Estonia wants the eighth sanctions package to include expanded sanctions against Russia in the fields of economy, energy, and trade, and for restrictions to be applied to additional persons and entities. Estonia also wishes to see a significant extension of restrictions on travel by Russian citizens.
To mark the event and Estonian-Ukrainian friendship, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Ambassador of Ukraine in Estonia Mariana Betsa planted a maple tree on the Ukraine Square in Lembitu Park.
